Runner joint for suspended ceiling system



Sept. 19, 1967 D, JAHN 3,342,5E5

RUNNER JOINT FOR SUSPENDED CEILING SYSTEM Filed June 1, 1965 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 19, 1967 JAHN 3,342,515

' RUNNER JOINT FOR SUSPENDED CEILING SYSTEM Filed June 1, 1965 I. 2Sheets-Sheet 2 8 b 4 4215, am 7-g United States Patent 3,342,515 RUNNERJOINT FOR SUSPENDED CEILING SYSTEM Martin D. Jahn, Chicago, Ill.,assignor to Chicago Metallic Sash Company, Chicago, 11]., a corporationof Illinois Filed June 1, 1965, Ser. No. 460,010 10 Claims. 01.287189.36)

The invention is directed generally to suspended ceiling structures, andmore particularly to an interlocking joint for suspended ceiling systemsemploying a plurality of main and cross runners for supporting aplurality of ceiling panels, the ends of the cross runners beingconnected to the main runners intermediate the ends of the latter, andprovided with means on which the ceiling panels are supported.

The invention is directed specifically to a joint for conmeeting the endof one runner with an intermediate portion of a transversely extendingrunner whereby a plurality of such runners may be assembled to form agrid structure on which a plurality of ceiling panels are disposed.

The invention has among its objects the production of an interlockingjoint between the end of one runner and the intermediate portion of atransversely extending runner to provide an interlocking connectionwhich will effectively hold the elements in assembled relation under allnormal conditions and at the same time permit simple and easy assembly,as well as a disassembly, if desired, without destruction or damage tothe members.

A further object of the invention is the production of such aninterlocking joint which is extremely simple in design, inexpensive tomanufacture and capable of being produced with relatively simplemanufacturing techniques.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a jointwhich requires no separate or additional elements to complete theinterlocking function and which requires no angular twisting or othermovement of the runners during the interlocking action other thanengaging movements with the runners approximating their normal finalassembled relation.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown anddescribed will :be obvious to those skilled in the art from thedisclosure herein given.

. In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like orcorresponding parts:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main runner to Whichthe ends of twotransversely extending cross runners are interlocked; l

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view through a main runner such asillustrated in FIG. 1, and having the end of a single cross runnerinterlocked therewith;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view similar to F IG. 2 illustrating amodified construction of the interlocking elements; I

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a portion of the main runnerillustrated in FIG. '3; i

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view through a main runner andillustrating a portion of a cross runner in elevation, embodying amodified form of construction;

FIG. '6 is a transverse sectional view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 takenapproximately on the line 6-6 of FIG. 7, of a further modification ofthe invention;

FIG, 7 is a sectional view through the cross runner takenapproximatelyon the line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a transverse section through a main runner similar to FIG. 6,illustrating a further modification in assembled relation; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cross runner such as illustrated inFIG. 8, showing the structure prior totfinal assembly.

- Patented Sept. 19, 1967 The present invention contemplates a runnerstructure in which the end of the cross runner to be engaged with theintermediate portion of the main runner is suitably formed, or bothrunners are suitably formed to provide an interlocking arrangement whichwill prevent disengagement of the two runners, the constructionpreferably being such that it is also possible to disconnect the runnerswithout material damage to the same if such should be desirable.

As used herein, the term main runner is used merely to identify, asbetween two runners (which may be of like construction), the runnerreceiving the end of another runner, which is termed the cross" runner.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, thereference numeral 1 indicates generally a main runner to which areconnected two cross runners indicated generally by the referencenumerals =2 and 3, the latter runners being of like construction andhaving their ends formed for interlocking engagement with theintermediate portion of the main runner. While it is possible to employa single type of runner construction in which each runner iscorrespondingly formed both as to main and cross runners, in theparticular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 the main runner 1 isprovided with suitable end tongues 4 whereby two main runners 1 could bedisposed with their ends in abutting relation and suitably interlockedby means of the tongues 4, the construction of which is known and formsno part of the invention.

As will be apparent from a reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the runners 1, 2and 3 are of like general construction, each formed from a single stripof material and provided with an intermediate or web portion 5, alongthe upper edge of which is formed a fiat head 6, and provided at itslower edge with oppositely directed aligned flange members 7 and 8. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, the free end of the cross runner 3 is providedwit-h a tongue 9, extending longitudinally from the intermediate portion5, and provided at its lower edge with an upwardly extending notch 10therein, the tongue 9 being of a size to be inserted in a slot 11 in theintermediate portion of the main runner,

the latter being pro-vided with a plurality of such slots at regularintervals to provide for various grid designs.

As will be apparent from a reference to FIG. 2, the tongue 8 is of asize to permit its insertion into the slot 11 by horizontal. dispositionof the cross runner in its approximate relationship to the main runnerand moving the end of the cross runner at substantially right angles tothe plane of the intermediate portion 5 of the main runner to effectinsertion of the tongue, following which it may be moved downwardly todispose the portion of the main runner directly below the slot 11 withinthe slot 10.

Disposed adjacent the upper bead 6 of the cross runner and formed fromthe material of the intermediate portion 5 is a projection 12, which isillustrated as being generally triangular in shape having a horizontalupper edge 13 and an inclined front edge 14, the latter extendingdownwardly and rearwardly with respect to the edge 13. As clearlyillustrated in FIG. 2, the projection 12 is so proportioned that whenthe runners are in their final assembled positions the projection willbe disposed directly below the adjacent portion of the bead. 6.Withdrawal of the tongue 9 from the slot 11 is thus prevented by theinterlocking engagement of the intermediate portion of the main runnerwith the tab 15, formed by the slot 10 with respect to the main runner,as above described, the

inclined edge 14 of the projection 12 will engage the adjacent edge ofthe bead 6, and with continued downward movement of the cross runner theintermediate portion of the main runner will flex sufficiently to letthe bead 6 clear the upper edge 13 of the projection 12, following whichthe main runner will spring into its original configuration to providethe interlocked connection illustrated.

While this construction will provide an effective interlock to preventundesired disconnection of the runners, if it should be desired todisconnect the cross runner from the main runner, the latter may beflexed slightly to permit disengagement of the bead 6 with theprojection 12, following which the cross runner may be moved upwardly toeffect withdrawal of the interlocking portion of the main runner withthe slot 10.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a modified form of the construction illustratedin FIG. 2, embodying a slightly different tongue construction whereinthe slot is considerably larger to form a tab while the upper edge 13 ofthe projection 12 is elevated somewhat to the construction illustratedin FIG. 2 and is adapted to be disposed in a notch 16 formed in thelower edge of the bead 6, the notches 16 being offset at opposite sidesof the bead 6 to provide for engagement of the respective runners withthe main runner from opposite sides of the latter, as illustrated inFIG. 1. The general assembly of the construction illustrated in FIGS. 3and 4 is similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2, the construction ofFIGS. 3 and 4, however, providing a lateral interlocking between theprojection 12 and the bead 6 of the main runner, and thus preventing anytendency of the cross runner to twist in the slot 11.

The construction illustrated in FIG. 5 is very similar to thatillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the construction, however, showing the useof a main runner 1 having a higher intermediate portion or web 5,provided with a generally tubular head 6 at the upper edge thereof,cooperable with a cross runner 3 having lesser height than the mainrunner and formed without a head at its upper edge. In thisconstruction, slot 11 is so proportioned with respect to the tongue 9and the projection 12 that the latter may be disposed in the slot 11when in its assembled position. FIG. 5 illustrates, in dotted lines, thedisposition of the cross runner with respect to the main runner at anintermediate position of its engagement therewith, the tongue of thecrosS runner being initially inserted into the slot 11 as illustrated,the intermediate portion of the main runner being provided with anauxiliary slot 11' therein of a size to receivethe projection 12 andthereby permit the desired longitudinal positioning of the cross runnerwith respect to the main runner. Following such insertion of the crossrunner to the position illustrated in dotted lines, the cross runner maythen be moved directly downwardly to its final position as illustratedin solid lines in FIG. 5 with the forward edge 14 of the projection 12engaging the portion of the intermediate runner directly below the slot11', functioning to cam the intermediate portion of the main runnerwhich will thereby flex sufficiently to let the projection 12 clear theportion of the main runner below the slot 11' and fall into the slot 11,interlocking the cross runner as illustrated.

FIG. 6 illustrates a construction in which the tongue of the crossrunner 2 and the intermediate portion 5 of the main runner 1 areprovided with cooperable interlocking means which may be snapped intoengagement to retain the runners in the desired position. In thisconstruction the tongue 9 of the runner is provided with a tab 15adapted to be inserted in a cooperable slot 11 in the intermediateportion of the main runner, the latter having oppositely disposedprojections 16a and 161) which are formed from the material of theintermediate portion 5 and extend downwardly and outwardly from theirjunction therewith as clearly illustrated in FIG. 6. The runner 1 isconstructed to receive two cross runners in a manner similar to thatillustrated in FIG. 1 and the slot 11 is therefore constructed of awidth to receive tongues 9 of the two runners, only one of which isillustrated in FIGS. 6 and 4 7, and each of the tabs 16a and 16b isadapted to be engaged by a cooperable projection 17 formed on thecorresponding cross runner.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the tab or projection 17 extends upwardly andoutwardly from the tongue 9 from which it is formed and adapted tounderlie the tab 16a when the runners are in operative position, as willbe apparent from a reference to FIG. 7. Assuming that a second crossrunner is insered in the remaining portion of the slot 11, the tab 17 ofsuch runner would extend in operative position below the projection 16bat the opposite side of the intermediate portion of the main runner. Therespective projections 16a and 16b cooperable with their associatedprojection 17 are operable to restrict upward movement of the crossrunner with respect to the main runner and thus prevent disengagement ofthe tab 15' from the intermediate ortion of the main runner andwithdrawal of the tongue 9 from the slot 11.

The cross runner 2 may be readily operatively connected with the mainrunner by inserting the tongue 9 into the slot 11, the cross runner isthus elevated above its normal position, but it may extend horizontally,in which case the projection 17 would be disposed above the projection16a so that no interference therebetween will initially take place. Whenthe tongue 9 has been fully inserted in longitudinal direction into theslot 11 the cross runner may then be moved downwardly to the positionillustrated in FIGS. 6- and 7. Assuming that the inserted runner is thefirst of two runners to be so engaged, the width of the slot obviouslywill permit operative positioning of the first cross runner illustratedwithout material interfence from the projection 16b, but when the secondtongue is inserted from the opposite side of the main runner, upondownward movement of the cross runner to its final position theprojection 17 thereof may give or flex sufiiciently to permit the tongue9 to be forced downwardly into its final position. Assuming that theslot 11 was only of a width to permit entry of a single runner, suchflexing action of the projection 17 would similarly take place upon thefinal downward movement of the sole cross runner with respect to themain runner. While this construction provides a very secure and positiveinterlocking action, the runners may be disconnected by use of ascrew-driver or other tool by means of which the projection 17 iseventually pushed in-ward'ly and worked beyond the projection 16associated therewith to permit the associated cross runner to be movedupwardly and thus permit the tongue 9 to be withdrawn from the slot 11.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a further modification of the invention inwhich the end of the cross runner 2 isprovided with deformable meanswhich may be manually moved into interlocking position following thedesired insertion of the cross runner to its final position. In thisconstruction, the intermediate portion 5 of the cross runner is providedwith a tongue 9 having an interlocking tab 15' at its lower endgenerally comparable to the tab'15 previously described with respecttoother figures, the tongue 9 being adapted'to be disposed within the slot11 and the tab 15' interlocked with the intermediate portion of the mainrunner 1. The cross runner 2 is provided adjacent the tongue at the topof the intermediate portion 5 with a generally rectangular-shaped tab 18formed from the material comprising the intermediate portion 5 bycutting a horizontally extending slit 19 therein, the tab 18 initiallybeing bent out of the plane of the intermediate portion 5 about avertical axis as illustrated in FIG. 9, so that such tab will not engagethe fiat bead 6 during engagement of the tongue 9 in the slot 11,andfollowing disposition of the cross runner in operative position with themain runner, as illustrated in FIG, '8, the tab 18 may be manually bentback int-o the plane of the intermediate portion 5, as indicated indotted lines in FIG. 9.

As will be apparent from a reference to FIG. 8, the proportions of theintermediate portion as to height, and the length of the tab 8 is suchthat the tab will be disposed directly below the flat bead 6 with itsfree end substantially abutting the intermediate portion 5 of the mainrunner, and thereby prevent inward movement of the tongue 9 with respectto the slot 11, as well as prevent upward movement of the cross runnerwith respect to the main runner. Obviously, this construction may beemployed in connection with the use of a single cross runner or the useof two cross runners corresponding to the arrangement of FIG. 1 and ifit should be desired to disconnect a cross runner the tab 18 thereof maybe readily bent out of the plane of the intermediate portion 5sulficiently to permit clearance with the bead 6 and thus permitwithdrawal of the runner.

It will be noted that in all of the forms of the invention illustrated adesired degree of interlocking is effected between the end of the onerunner or the ends of two runners, as the case may be, and the mainrunner with which they are connected, which interlocking opposesmovement of the cross runner relative to the main runner in a directionthat would permit withdrawal of the cross runner and disengagementthereof from the main runner. However, in all forms of the inventionillustrated it is possible to disconnect the runners, if desired,without materially damaging the runners to the extent that they couldnot be re-engaged and reused.

It will be further noted that all of the constructions illustratedemploy simple means on the cross runners and make use of cooperableelements normally found on runners of this type or simple meansspecifically provided for the purpose on the cooperable main runner, thespecific means for achieving the desired results, in any casebeingsimply designed and readily capable of fabrication by the usualmanufacturing techniques.

As previously mentioned, While the terms main runner and cross runnerhave been employed for the pur poses of distinguishing between therespective runners involved, it is believed apparent that, in any of theconstructions disclosed, both or all of the runners involved may be oflike construction and could even be identically constructed so that onlyone type of runner was em ployed. In such case, in distinguishingbetween the runners, the term main runner merely generallyindicates' therunner which is provided with the slot ll in which are received the endsof other runners identified ascross runners.

Likewise, while I have illustrated runners in FIGS. 5 through 9, whichhave been termed the cross runners of the assembly, and which 'have notbeen provided with longitudinally extending beads on the top edge oftheir intermediate portion, it is believed obvious that such runnerscould be constructed with a longitudinally extending top bead in thesame manner as the runners designated as main runners. i

It will also be appreciated that if desired suitable deformable portionsmay be provided in various parts of the respective runners to enable useof the runners in a ffirerated suspended ceiling system.

Changes may be made within the scope and spirit oftheappended claimswhich define -what is believed to be new and desired to have protectedby Letters Patent.

I claim:

1. In an interlocking joint for suspended ceiling systems comprisingmain and cross runners on which ceiling panels are supported, in whichthe ends of the cross runners are connected to main runners intermediatethe ends of the latter, and in which each of said cross and main runnershave a vertical intermediate portion, from the lower edge of whichaligned flange members extend outwardly in opposite directions, uponwhich flange members the ceiling panels are supported, said main runnerhaving a bead portion, each cross runner having a tongue extending froma free end thereof, the vertical intermediate portion of the cooperablemain runner having a vertically extending slot therein of a size toreceive the are in their assembled positions, for preventing move-1 mentof the cross runner in 'a disengaging direction relative to the mainrunner, means formed on said cross runner at said tongue disposed forinterlocking engagement with said head portion of, saidlmain runner forrestricting undesired linear and angular movement in either of thevertical directions of the cross runner relative to the main runner toprevent disengagement of said tab with the intermediate portion of saidmain runner and, thus prevent withdrawal of said tongue from said slot.

2. An interlocking joint according to claim 1, wherein the intermediateportion of said main runner terminates at its upper edge in a relativelyflat longitudinally GXtCIide ing reinforcing bead, and. saidinterlocking means for the prevention of vertical movement of saidtongue rel-;

ative to said intermediate portioncomprises a projection; disposed onsaid cross runner for interlocking engagement with the bead on said mainrunner. l

3. An interlocking joint according to claim 2, wherein said interlockingmeans for preventing vertical movement of said tongue comprises arectangularly shaped tab extending forwardly from the cross runner andbendable on a vertically extending axis, said rectangular tab havingsuch horizontal and vertical dimensions that it may be disposed forengagement with the intermediate portion and with said beadto preventvertical movement of said cross runner relative to said main runner andhorizontal movement of said cross runner toward said main runner.

4. An interlocking joint according to claim 1, comprising a projectionformed by a portion of said tongue which is disposed out of the plane ofthe latter, and a projection on said main runner formed by a part of theintermediate portion of the latter and disposed out of the plane of suchintermediate portion, said last mentioned projection being cooperablewith the projection on said tongue for interlocking engagementtherewith.

'5. In an interlocking joint for suspended ceiling systerns comprisingmain and eross runners on which ceiling panels are supported, in whichthe ends of the cross runners are connected to main runners intermediatethe ends of the latter, and in which each of said cross and main runnershave a vertical intermediate portion, from the lower edge of whichaligned flange members extend downwardly in opposite directions, uponwhich flange members the ceiling panels are supported, thefintermediateportion of said main runner terminating atjits upper edge in arelatively flat longitudinally extending reinforcing bead, each crossrunner having a tongue extending from a free end thereof, thevertical'inte'rmediate portion of the cooperable main runner having avertically extending slot therein of a si ze to receive the tongue ofthe cross runner, said tongue having a downwardly extending locking tabat the free end thereof disposed for interlocking connection with theintermediate portion of the main runner below said slot therein for,preventing movement of the cross runner in a disengaging directionrelative to the main runner,a projection disposed on said cross runnerat said tongue disposed for interlocking engagement with thebead on saidmain runner for preventing vertical movement of the cross runnerrelative to the main runner to prevent disengagement of said tab withthe intermediate portion of said main runner and thus prevent withdrawalof said tongue from said slot, said bead-engaging projection beinggenerally triangular in shape and formed with a substantiallyhorizontally extending top edge engageable with said head, the forwardedge being inclined downwardly and rearward- 1y with respect to the topedge, and providing camming means for facilitating interlocking of suchprojection with such bead.

6. An interlocking joint according to claim 5, wherein said locking tabis formed by a vertically extending notch disposed in the lower edge ofsaid tongue.

7. In an interlocking joint for suspended ceiling systerns comprisingmain and cross runners on which ceiling panels are supported, in whichthe ends of the cross runners are connected to main runners intermediatethe ends of the later, and in which each of said cross and main runnershave a vertical intermediate portion, from the lower edge of whichaligned flange members extend outwardly in opposite directions, uponwhich flange members the ceiling panels are supported, the intermediateportion of said main runner terminating at its upper edge in arelatively flat longitudinally extending reinforcing bead, each crossrunner having a tongue extending from a free end thereof, the verticalintermediate portion of the cooperable main runner having a verticallyextending slot therein of a size to receive the tongue of the crossrunner, said tongue having a downwardly extending locking tab at thefree end thereof disposed for interlocking connection with theintermediate portion of the main runner below said slot therein, forpreventing movement of the cross runner in a disengaging directionrelative to the main runner, means formed on said cross runner at saidtongue disposed for interlocking engagement with a portion of said mainrunner for preventing vertical movement of the cross runner relative tothe main runner to prevent disengagement of said tab with theintermediate portion of said main runner and thus prevent withdrawal ofsaid tongue from said slot, said interlocking means for the preventionof vertical movement of said tongue relative to said intermediateportion comprising a projection disposed on said cross runner forinterlocking engagement with the bead on said main runner, the mainrunner provided with a transverse not-ch therein disposed to receivesaid bead-engaging projection when said runners are in operativeposition, operative to prevent transverse movement of the latterrelative to said bead.

8. An interlocking joint according to claim 7, wherein the slot in saidmain runner is of a size to receive the tongues of two opposed crossrunners, said bead having a notch therein at each side of theintermediate portion, said notches each being of a.width slightly largerthan the thickness of the metal forming the cross runner, with thenotches being offset relative to one another.

9. In interlocking joint for suspended ceiling systems comprising mainand cross runners on which ceiling panels are supported, in which theends of the cross runners are connected to main runners intermediate theends of the latter, and in which each of said cross and main runnershave a vertical intermediate portion, from the lower edge of whichaligned flange members extend outwardly in opposite directions, uponwhich flange members the ceiling panels are supported, each cross runnerhaving a tongue extending from a free end thereof, the verticalintermediate portion of the cooperable main runner having a verticallyextending slot therein of a size to receive the tongue of the crossrunner, said tongue having a downwardly extending locking tab at thefree end thereof disposed for interlocking connection with theintermediate portion of the main runner below said slot therein, forpreventing movement of the cross runner in a disengaging directionrelative to the main runner, means formed on said cross runner at saidtongue disposed for interlocking engagement with a portion of said mainrunner for preventing vertical movement of the cross runner relative tothe main runner to prevent disengagement of said tab with theintermediate portion of said main runner and thus prevent withdrawal ofsaid tongue from said slot, said interlocking means for prevention ofvertical movement of said tongue relative to said intermediate portioncomprising a projection disposed on said cross runner which is generallytriangular in shape and is formed with a substantially horizontallyextending top edge, the forward edge being inclined downwardly andrearwardly with respect to said top edge, the slot in said intermediateportion of the main runner being of a size to receive said projectionwhen the runners are in operative position, said intermediate portionhaving a second slot therein disposed above said first mentioned slot,and of a size to receive said projection during assembly of said runnersto facilitate initial insertion of said tongue in the first mentionedslot.

10. In an interlocking joint for suspended ceiling systems comprisingmain and cross runners on which ceiling panels are supported, in whichthe ends of the cross runners are connected to main runners intermediatethe ends of the latter, and in which each of said cross and main runnershave a vertical intermediate portion, from the lower edge of whichaligned flange members extend outwardly in opposite directions, uponwhich flange members the ceiling panels are supported, each cross runnerhaving a tongue extending from a free end thereof, the verticalintermediate portion of the cooperable main runner having a verticallyextending slot therein of a size to receive the tongue of the crossrunner, said tongue having a downwardly extending locking tab at thefree end thereof disposed for interlocking connection with theintermediate portion of the main runner below said slot therein, forpreventing movement of the cross runner in a disengaging directionrelative to the main runner, means'formed on said cross runner at saidtongue disposed for interlocking engagement with a portion of said mainrunner for preventing vertical movement of the cross runner relative tothe main runner to prevent disengagement of said tab with theintermediate portion of said main runner and thus prevent withdrawal ofsaid tongue from said slot, the slot in said runner being of a width toreceive the tongues on two oppositely disposed cross runners, each crossrunner having a projection formed by a portion of its tongue which isdisposed out of the plane of the latter, said main runner having twoprojections thereon, disposed at opposite sides of said intermediateportion, each such projection on said runner for-med by a part of theintermediate portion of the latter and disposed out of the plane of suchintermediate portion, each of said last mentioned projections beingcooperable with a projection on the tongue of a respective cross memberfor interlocking engagement therewith.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,213,417 1/1917 Roper 287189.361,213,498 1/1917 Johnson et al. 287--l89.36 2,903,104 9/1959 Brown287-18936 3,221,846 12/ 1965 Brown et al. 287-189.36

DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, PETER M. CAUN,

Examiners.

